Combined bed



Jan. 23, 1923.

F. A. HOUSE. COMBINED BED, CHAIR, AND RACK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

2 SHEETSSHEE'I l.

FILED MAY 29, 1922.

Jan. 23, 1923. 1,442,972. F.A.ROUS E. COMBINED BED, CHAIR, AND RACK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

FILED MAY 29, I922. 2 SHEETSSHEE1 Z.

Patented Jan. 23, 1923.

UNITED STATES FREDERICK A. HOUSE, OF WEBSTER CITY, IOWA.

COMBINED BED, CHAIR, AND BACK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed May 29, 1922. Serial No. 564,442.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that FREDERICK A. Rouse, a citizen of the United States, residing at Webster City, in the county of Hamilton and State of Iowa, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Beds, Chairs, and Racks for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device to be attached to the running board of an automobile, and adapted to be adjusted to serve either as a rack, chair, or bed.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is of a simplified construe tion, and may be collapsed into a compact form, and carried as a rack upon the running board of an automobile.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device, applied to an automobile, and adjusted for use as a bed,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the inner section of the device,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device, used as a bed,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the intermediate and outer section, parts broken away, showing the hinge joint,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device collapsed, used as a rack for an automobile,

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the device, used as a chair,

Fig. 7 is a detail section taken on line 77 of Fig. 3, and,

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section taken on line 88 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates an automobile, of any well known or preferred type, having a running board 11, as shown.

The device is formed of foldable inner and outer sections 12 and 13, and an interme diate section 14. The inner section 12 in eludes an integral approximately U-shaped frame 15, embodying a transverse portion 16 and longitudinal portions 17. The frame 15 is preferably formed of angle iron. The section 13 embodies a frame 18, including a transverse portion 19, and longitudinal portions 20, formed integral, and preferably of angle iron. The intermediate section 14 has a frame including longitudinal portions 21, as shown. The transverse portion 16, Figs. 1 and 2 is connected with hinges 22, arranged upon the top thereof, and secured thereto, at 23. The coacting leaves of the hinges are arranged upon the top of the running board 11, and secured thereto at 24. lit is thus seen that a pivotal joint is efiected between the frame 15 and the running board, which j oint will permit the frame being swung unwardly to a substantially vertical position, but will limit the downward movement of the frame below the horizontal posi tion, as the longitudinal portions 17 of the frame would then contact with the edge of the runnin board, Fig. 2.

The longitudinal portions 21 of the frame of the intermediate section 14 are hinged to the longitudinal portions 17 by hinges 25, which may be rigidly secured to blocks 26, rigidly held within the adjacent ends of the longitudinal portions 17 and 21. Particular attention is called to the fact that the hinges 25 re disposed beneath the longitudinal portions 17 and 21. This is important, as it permits the longitudinal rails 17 and 21 being folded upwardly to a vertical position, but looks them against downward movement below the horizontal position, Fig. By this means, it is unnecessary to employ a support at the hinges 25, when the device is used as a bed, as these hinges coact with the contacting ends of the rails 17 and 21, forming a rigid knee joint.

The rails 20 of the outer section 13 are pivotally connected with the rails 21, by hinges 27, secured to the adjacent ends thereof. These hinges are arranged upon the top of these rails, as shown, and serve to permit of the upward swinging movement of the rails 20, but limit their downward movement, beyond the horizontal position, Fig. 3.

Legs 28 are arranged inwardly of the outer ends of the rails 21, and are pivoted thereto, at 29, to swing longitudinally of the rails 21, and to lie within the same, when folded. Legs 30 are pivoted to the transverse rail 19, as shown at 31, and arranged inwardly thereof, to swing longitudinally of this rail. The legs 30 are adapted to be folded wlthin the rail 19,,1Fig. ,8.

I upon 'each'other. 1 The invention is of course tonis.

not restricted to the particulartype of hot- The numeralfio designates a rod, cable, or rope, suitably secured tothe fenders of the automobile, and arranged outwardly of the collapsed device, Fig .5, to hold the same in place, when used as a rack. The package or luggage is arranged between the collapsed device, and the side otthe automobile, and of'course'preventslateral movement. If desired, suitable means, not shown, may be employed to secure the sections together in the collapsed position, and means other than the element .35 may also be employed to-connect the device with the body of the automobile.

it is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I

, claim:

i. A combined bed, chair, and rack, to be secured to the running board of an'automobile comprising, an inner section hinged to the running board adjacent to its outer edge to swing upwardly, an intermediate section hinged to the inner section to swing downwardly, an outer section hinged to the intermediate section to swing upwardly, all of saidsections when collapsed'to form a rack being arranged outwardly of said running secured to the running board of an automobile comprising, an inner section extending longitudinally of the running board and hinged thereto adjacent to its outer edge to swing upwardly with relatlon to the run-l ning board, intermediate sectlon arranged upon the outer edge of the inner section and having a hinge connection therewith, such hinge connection being adapted to permit the intermediate section swinging downwardly with relation to the inner section but positively holding it against swinging movement in anupward direction heyond a substantially horizontal position, an ,outer section hinged to the outeredgeo f thejinten mediate section to swing upwardly with re lation thereto, all ofsaid sections whencollapsed to form a rack beingarranged outwardly of the running board in a substantially vertical position, collapsible legs carried by the outer portion of the intermediate section, and collapsible legs carried by the enter portion of the outer section, a y

3.1L con'ibined bed, chair, and rack to be secured to the running board of an automobile, comprising three sections hinged jtogether' with the inner section hingedto the rimning board of the, automobile adjacent to theouter edge of said running board, the two inner sections being adapted to be shifted to a vertical position in substantially parallel relation to each other while the outer section is substantiallyhorizontal, the inner sections constituting the back of; the chair and the outer section the seat, all of said sectionswhen collapsed to produc'e araclr being disposed outwardly of the 'running board in substantially a vertical position, and collapsible legs carried by theouter portion of the outer section, e v e j In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' 'rnnnnnioir A. arouse 

